Front Cradle Swap

[Palf70Step]

The 82 is on it's way to a very quick death bed and not worht the bucks to put it right for the daughter. I'm thinking about doing the swap of the front cradle to get disks and 5 lug wheels, as well as the power steering. If I do the cradle swap, does it take everything, arms, spindles, tie rods, pitman, idler arm from the 82 or do I have to mix and match any of the 70 suspension with it?

If I go this route, I'll be using the 82 power steeriing also. I may also borrow the turbo 350 and latemodel rear end/brakes from it also.

[69 longhorn]

if you use all the pcs from the 82, you should have it covered 69L

[oldschooloutlaw]

you have to drill two holes in the frame but it is a great swap just leave the tires on and roll it out from the 82 and under your truck another person and a floor jack makes a lot easier

[Tx Firefighter]

Heck, I know a certain guy who doesn't even bother to drill those 2 holes sometimes. I..er...He just uses the other 12 bolts and doesn't worry about the last 2. Particularly if the truck has an engine in it, as that makes the drilling near impossible.

[modifiedGMC]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

Heck, I know a certain guy who doesn't even bother to drill those 2 holes sometimes. I..er...He just uses the other 12 bolts and doesn't worry about the last 2. Particularly if the truck has an engine in it, as that makes the drilling near impossible.

I know what you mean TX, I used a complete 79 front cradle under my 69 GMC and I had to put it under there, mark those two holes, take it back out, drill the holes from the outside then put it all back. But it all worked out for the better now I have five lugs, disc brakes, power steering, newer suspension parts,etc all compliments of a dying 1979 C10.

[Billy G]

Bill...I always watch your post to see what you've done to your truck. Only difference is...mine is a GMC. Your post too Kevin....seems I always learn something when I read them....like going with only 12 bolts. Dunno if I want to do that....but if I keep the 6 cyl....it'd probably work just fine.

DECISIONS....DECISIONS!!!! *and Im a man who has to THINK which leg goes in the pants first*

LOL

Billy G

[XXL]

Originally Posted by Billy G

like going with only 12 bolts. Dunno if I want to do that....but if I keep the 6 cyl....it'd probably work just fine.

On my new sectioned crossmember, we don't even have the top bolts in it any more (the ones by the upper control arms) and I'd say it's solid enough for anything you could throw at it.

[greasemonkey]

What happened to the '82?

[chevybill]

That sounds like a great plant on updating your truck.

Are you still covered in pollen down there by the water, in south MS?

I am ready for spring like weather to get to north MS.

good luck with the conversion

[Palf70Step]

Greasemonkey, besides the engine gasping for it's last, broke piston sleeve and a bad rod, The AC system went kaput (1000 bucks + right after the warrenty expired of course) and a few other things are acting up. It's going to take too much money to get it back as a reliable daily runner for my daughter, so time to cut loose. Not sure what I am going to do yet, except look for another truck for her.